I had the chance to catch up with Bite Me Bambi on two tours this year, and let me tell you—this band has "it." From the moment I first met Tahlena , Ed , Sparka , Oliver, and Jesse at the Connecticut Yankee in San Francisco, they exuded the kind of effortless charm that made me think, “These are the coolest kids in class.” (Unfortunately, Mike bailed on all the bay area shows so I didn't get to chat with him for these interviews)

My introduction to Bite Me Bambi started years ago when I stumbled across the video for “Hot Lava” on YouTube. The energy radiating from that song hooked me instantly. Fast forward to 2024, and they were back in San Francisco as Co-headlining a tour with The Bar Stool Preachers. They graciously made time to chat with me, answer some fun questions, and even let me schedule more work with them.

The Bite Me Bambi Effect:

When discussing the band’s “brand,” Tahlena reflected on their unconventional roots: “Almost everything about how we came to be and how we promote ourselves is a little outside the norm. That carries over into every part of the band. We’re not just about making music—we’re about creating a community. Love and acceptance are always at the forefront of what we do.” That ethos comes alive in their live shows. When I saw them perform at Bottom of the Hill, I became a diehard fan. Their synergy on stage is electric—each member plays off the others so well that the crowd can’t help but dance, jump, and sing along. This is a band that knows how to entertain, and they do it with heart. So, when the opportunity came to film them for Frequency Illusions’ concert series, it was a no-brainer. Bite Me Bambi returned to San Francisco to open for Fishbone on their Red Hot Holiday Tour at the legendary Great American Music Hall, and they delivered a set that was pure ska glory. With the promise of sweaty high-fives and long awkward stares, I watched as people lined up after their set to grab merch and learn more about the band.

A Band That Walks the Talk:

Between shows, I got to dive into the band’s personalities. If Bite Me Bambi were in a horror movie, we decided that Ed and Oliver would probably die first, Sparka would emerge as the unlikely hero, and Tahlena would make it to the end because she follows the cardinal rule: no sex in weird places. (Thank you, Scream.) Their name? It’s a nod to the 2001 cult classic Josie and the Pussycats, which led to some nostalgic banter about cartoons. Edgar and I geeked out over animated shows, while Tahlena and Sparka bonded with me over film and photography. These moments stood out because they perfectly encapsulate what Bite Me Bambi is all about—being unapologetically themselves and inspiring others to do the same. With a new album, Eat This, dropping on Valentine’s Day 2025, Bite Me Bambi is gearing up for a huge year. Their debut, Hurry Up and Wait (2020), laid the foundation, and the upcoming release builds on it with standout tracks like “Do the Damned,” “Girls Like You,” and a killer cover of The Offspring’s “Want You Bad.” The momentum is undeniable. Bite Me Bambi is amassing a passionate fanbase, headlining bigger venues, and proving they’re more than just a ska band—they’re a movement.

The Lineup:

Tahlena Chikami: @this.is.tahlena - A charismatic performer with an unmatched stage presence and a powerhouse voice.

Edgar Guadina: @ded_mutt - All smiles, multi-instrument wielding and dreams of fired chicken.

SPARKA: ‪@sparkasound A brilliant Bass player with outstanding style who bleeds creativity.

Oliver Dobrian: @millennial.whoop - The nicest drummer I've ever met and, just like the rest of the band, made me feel welcome and part of the Scooby gang.

Jesse Wilder: @jessewildermusic - Ready with a "dad joke" Jesse's guitar work brings a fun surf rock flair to the bands sound.

Filmed live on December 19th at the Great American Music Hall, Bite Me Bambi brings their “rude” charm to Frequency Illusions’ latest concert film. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to their sound, this is a band you won’t want to miss in 2025. Bite Me Bambi aren't just the coolest kids in class—they’re about to become the talk of the town.